3 Lessons From 3,000 Subs in 3 Years on Substack
What I Would Do Different If I Started My Substack From 0.
I posted my first article on Substack in October 2021.
Today, I’ve published nearly 1,000 pieces of content and have over 1 million views.
But I’ve changed several things since the day I started my Substack. I’ve learned a lot along the way and made plenty of mistakes that you can learn from.
If I were starting over on Substack with 0 subscribers, I would do this.
1. Emphasize Quality over Quantity.
When I first started my Substack, I published 5 articles each week — Monday through Friday. Then I had the “bright” idea to add content on the weekend as well.
For about a year and a half, I cranked out a Substack post every. single. day.
Finally, I decided to take a break, and I made very few posts in June 2024.
That break helped me reset and I decided to focus more on the quality of my articles rather than the quantity.
Now, I write only one article each week, and without the pressure of the daily turnaround publishing schedule, I’m free to spend more time on writing and research.
Unless you’re Substack involves the daily news, I would strongly advise you not to get caught up in the hamster wheel of publishing daily. It’s a grind, and ultimately you will end up deciding to do what I did — which is to stop that madness.
Focus on writing the best article you can in a week. You’ll still see plenty of growth. I’ve been amazed that my subscriber growth hasn’t dropped off even though I’m publishing less on Substack.
Doing your best requires time. Give yourself time to produce the best quality writing you can.
2. Do a Weekly Podcast.
Substack didn’t add the podcast option until several months after I started my Substack. But I quickly decided to start a weekly podcast, and I’ve had no regrets.
My weekly podcast might be my favorite part of my Substack right now. I’ve toyed around with the idea of doing more audio content and less written content.
Ah, that’s probably just my afternoon coffee talking.
I’ve learned that my subscribers love the podcast as well. It’s one thing to read a person’s words on the page and share a connection with them. It just takes the connection between you and your audience to a whole ‘nother level if they can listen to your voice!
You might think your audience doesn’t want to hear your voice, but that’s just your afternoon coffee talking and it’s wrong.
Your audience will love hearing from you — literally — in another format than just words on the page. If anything, a weekly podcast will give new life to your words on the page/screen.
It doesn’t have to be three hours long or super fancy. Just hit record on your phone if you have to and talk to those lovely subscribers of yours.
You’ll both be glad you did.
3. Have Regular Guest Posts.
After I started feeling some burnout from publishing content every. single. day. I decided to give myself a break by bringing some guest writers on board.
I had a couple of friends who were already writing, and they were happy to let me publish their articles on my Substack.
I gave them all the credit and even provided links to the work they were doing.
Having guest posts on your Substack is a win-win.
The guest gets their writing to a wider audience.
You get additional content and exposure to your guest’s audience.
I’ve picked up quite a few new subscribers from people who didn’t know me but knew my guest writers. So long as the content you share from guest writers is consistent with the value you provide in your Substack — why wouldn’t you do it?
Teamwork makes the dream work!
If you’re thinking about getting started writing online, hey, from someone who’s been where you are right now — just do it.
Get started on Substack, Medium, or wherever — just get going and keep going.
You’ll be glad you did.
If you’re curious, my Substack is about Christianity. You’re welcome to check it out if you’d like.